‘5G is here, but 4G is still king’ – MTN CEO speaks on future of mobile networks

With new network generations emerging faster than ever, MTN Ghana’s CEO, Stephen Blewett, has provided critical insights into the ongoing 5G rollout and its real impact on consumers.

Speaking at the MTN House in Accra on Wednesday, April 2, he addressed key concerns, breaking down the complexities of spectrum allocation and network evolution in a way that puts consumer expectations into perspective.

“People get hung up on the numbers,” he remarked when discussing the move from one generation of

mobile networks to another.

“Right now, people are already working on 5.5G, and then 6G will come. It will all come eventually, but the real question is: how much of a difference do consumers actually feel?”

He explained that 5G technology operates within different spectrums of radio frequencies, making it more of an incremental improvement rather than an entirely new experience for everyday users.

“You can run 5G on 700 MHz, 2300 MHz, or even 3500 MHz. Each spectrum carries radio frequencies, and they all do different things,” he noted.

While 5G is often touted as a game-changer, the CEO acknowledged that for most consumers, the difference between 4G and 5G may not be as noticeable as past network upgrades.

“In the early days, when we moved from 2G to EDGE, the difference was massive. But as you move up to higher generations, the improvements become less dramatic for the average consumer,” Mr Blewett explained.

Despite the increasing buzz around 5G, Stephen reassured customers that they do not need to rush into buying 5G-enabled devices immediately.

“The price of 5G devices is still high, and it will take time for them to become affordable. A good 4G experience is still more than enough for most people,” he said.

His comments suggest that while MTN is investing in 5G technology, the company is also focused on ensuring that 4G remains strong and reliable for consumers who may not yet be ready—or willing—to make the jump to 5G.

Spectrum Limitations and the Future of Connectivity

One of the biggest challenges in mobile network evolution is the availability of spectrum.

“Eventually, we will run out of spectrum,” the MTN boss warned, noting that as networks continue to advance, there will be physical limitations on how much frequency space is available for carriers.

While this does not mean that mobile networks will stop evolving, it does indicate that the rate of improvement in user experience may slow down over time.

“The question is, at what point do consumers stop feeling the difference?” he asked.

What This Means for MTN Customers

For MTN users, the message is clear: while 5G is the future, 4G is still more than capable of delivering fast and reliable internet.

Consumers should not feel pressured to upgrade immediately, as 5G adoption will be a gradual process, with affordability and accessibility improving over time.

With Ghana’s telecommunications sector continuously evolving, MTN’s strategy appears to be a balanced one, pushing forward with 5G development while ensuring that existing 4G customers continue to receive a top-tier experience.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of with 5G,” Stephen Blewett assured.

“It has a part to play, but you don’t necessarily need to have a 5G device right now.”

Source: Abubakar Ibrahim My JoyOnline)

World Bank backs Africa digital data push with $100 million Raxio deal

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The World Bank’s private investment arm is backing the rush into digital data in Africa with a $100 million investment in regional data centre developer and operator Raxio Group, funding centres from Ethiopia to Angola.

Digital demand on the continent is surging, but infrastructure remains scarce. Africa accounts for less than 1% of the world’s data centre capacity even as mobile data usage grows by around 40% annually – nearly double the global average, according to U.S. advocacy group Internet Society.

The debt funding by the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation (IFC) – its largest such investment to date in Africa – reflects rising interest from global institutions in the continent’s digital economy, where mobile money, AI-driven services and cloud-based platforms are rapidly expanding. Hosting data locally reduces costs, improves speeds and gives governments more control over cybersecurity and regulation.

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“Data centres as such and overall digital connectivity is an important area of focus for the IFC,” said Sarvesh Suri, IFC regional industry director, infrastructure and natural resources in Africa.

Improving digital connectivity and building the backbones of digital infrastructure are of key importance to support economic growth in Africa, Suri added.

After launching its first facility in Uganda in 2021, Raxio is building a network of top standard data centres, including one in Ivory Coast with construction underway in Mozambique, Ethiopia and Democratic Republic of Congo.

The expansion comes as global tech giants and infrastructure investors view Africa as the next battleground for cloud services. Cloud computing and tech giants such as Amazon Web Services AMZN.O, Microsoft Azure MSFT.O and Huawei are ramping up partnerships and presence on the continent, but many still rely on Europe or South Africa for hosting.

 “We see the interest, the support, the engagement, the collaboration we are getting from the governments where we operate, who really want this to happen,” said Raxio Group CEO Robert Skjodt.

Building data centres in frontier markets isn’t without risk. Unreliable power supply, complex regulation and political instability can deter commercial players.

Development finance institutions play a crucial role by de-risking early investments that can unlock long-term private capital, said Suri.

“We bring in the right kind of instruments to help support investors to reduce the risk over all this, to make sure that these investments continue to be long-term, sustainable, and profitable, but also economically beneficial for the countries,” said Suri.

(Reporting by Colleen Goko; Editing by Karin Strohecker)

Zambia’s ICT sector offers promising opportunities

ICT

The Zambia Information and Communications Technology Authority (ZICTA) announced that the ICT sector developed significantly in 2024, despite economic challenges.

According to ZICTA’s 2024 Annual Market Report, mobile phone subscriptions increased by 9.5%, from 21.1 million in 2023 to 23.2 million in 2024.

Internet subscriptions also climbed by 7%, reaching 13.5 million.

According to ZICTA Manager Corporate Communications Hanford Chaaba, more consumers have adopted mobile money services, with transaction volumes increasing by 33% and transaction values increasing by 8%.

However, rising operational costs due to power shortages, inflation, and currency devaluation increased the cost of ICT services slightly.

Despite this, mobile network providers reported $404.5 million ( K11.5 bn) in revenue, a 21% increase over the previous year.

To boost digital access, the government developed the ZamFree Initiative, which provides free public Wi-Fi in certain cities, as well as Zambia’s first National Artificial Intelligence (AI) Strategy, which promotes safe AI use.

A collaboration between the government and Google also resulted in the formation of an AI Centre of Excellence at the University of Zambia, which aims to improve digital skills and innovation.

Zambia also achieved progress in cybersecurity, with its Global Cybersecurity Index (GCI) score rising to 92.6 percent, significantly higher than the global average of 65.7 percent.

Investment in infrastructure continued, with the number of telecommunication towers rising from 3,568 to 3,626, while telecommunication sites increased by 10% to 14,519.

ZICTA, which is led by Collins Mbulo as director general, said it is expecting the ICT sector to experience further growth, especially the number of mobile cellular subscriptions, which is projected to reach approximately 24.5 million by the end of 2025.

The organisation said: “Looking ahead, the outlook for the ICT sector remains optimistic, supported by continued infrastructure investment, government digital transformation initiatives and expected improvements in economic conditions. The number of mobile cellular subscriptions is projected to grow to approximately 24.5 million by the end of 2025.” 

Source: Extensia

Axian Telecom commits to investing $82 million in three markets by 2030

Telecom

The company is seeking to consolidate its position in the rapidly expanding African telecoms market. With this in mind, it has undergone a change of corporate identity in November 2024, affecting its operations in Madagascar, the Comoros, Senegal, Togo, and Tanzania.

Pan-African telecommunications group Axian Telecom plans to invest $82 million in Madagascar, Tanzania, and the Comoros by 2030. This investment is primarily aimed at expanding 4G coverage in these markets to 97% of the population by 2030, while also targeting the addition of 6 million new subscribers.

The investment was announced on Tuesday, March 25, by the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). It is part of the Partner2Connect initiative, which mobilizes commitments to universal connectivity and digital development, with a focus on underserved areas and vulnerable populations.

In Madagascar, 4G coverage represented 33.6% of the population, estimated at 31.2 million in 2023, according to the ITU. In Tanzania, this rate was 79% (out of 66.6 million), compared to 94% (out of 850,387) in the Comoros. Also according to the ITU, only 38.1% of the Malagasy population had a mobile phone in 2023, which represents approximately 19.3 million people without access to mobile telephony. Approximately 190,000 Comorians and 17 million Tanzanians also did not use a mobile phone. Furthermore, the World Mobile Association indicates that approximately 40 million Tanzanians did not have access to mobile internet in 2023.

This digital divide represents a strategic opportunity for Axian Telecom in a context of digital transformation marked by growing demand. If forecasts are realized, the addition of 6 million new customers could enable the company to increase service consumption and, in turn, its revenue. 

However, Axian Telecom will face intense competition in these markets. In Madagascar, it competes with Orange and Airtel. In the Comoros, the company competes with the incumbent operator Comores Telecom. In Tanzania, Axian Telecom held a 30% market share as of December 31, 2024, just behind Vodacom’s 31%. The rest of the Tanzanian market is shared between Airtel, Halotel, and the incumbent operator TTCL.

With this ambitious investment, Axian Telecom seeks to become a key player in the African telecom landscape while responding to the challenges related to digital inclusion.

Source: Extensia

Republic of Congo plans to spend $1.3 million to strengthen its digital security

In February 2025, the government of the Republic of Congo appointed a director general to head the National Agency for Information Systems Security (ANSSI). He was received by his supervisory minister.

In the Republic of Congo, the government has allocated a budget of 800 million CFA francs (approximately USD 1.3 million) for the operations of the National Agency for Information Systems Security (ANSSI). This was announced by Léon Juste Ibombo, the Congolese Minister of Posts, Telecommunications, and the Digital Economy, during a meeting last week with the agency’s director general, Oboulhas Tsahat Conrad Onésime, appointed in February.

This budget will allow ANSSI to deploy its infrastructure, recruit qualified personnel, and design appropriate cybersecurity strategies. The objective is to strengthen the protection of information systems against growing cyber threats, thereby ensuring data security and trust in the national digital ecosystem.

Placed under the supervision of the Presidency of the Republic and administered by the Ministry of the Digital Economy, the Agency is responsible for supervising and coordinating national cybersecurity, managing digital incidents and threats, responding to cyberattacks, and ensuring the protection of the country’s digital infrastructure.

It faces several challenges, including the need to train cybersecurity experts, raise awareness of IT security issues among institutions and the general public, and strengthen coordination between relevant stakeholders. According to the 2024 edition of the International Telecommunications Union’s “Global Cybersecurity Index,” the Republic of Congo is in Tier 4, with a score of 27.61 out of 100, highlighting the extent of efforts still needed to improve its cybersecurity.

Source: Extensia

Apple and Samsung face hefty US tariff hit

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Reaction to the implications of global import tariffs revealed by US President Donald Trump yesterday (2 April) is rolling in, with at least one observer so far offering a predictably gloomy outlook.

CCS Insight chief analyst Ben Wood told Mobile World Live the US tariffs are likely to hit Apple and Samsung hard, in turn resulting in higher prices for consumers in the country.

Wood noted Apple and Samsung hold the “biggest share of smartphone sales in the US,” a problem given the pair rely heavily on China and Vietnam for the manufacture of their devices.

The nations top the list of tariff rates unveiled by President Trump, with China’s levy at 34 percent and Vietnam facing a 46 percent fee.

Each figure is the reciprocal rate revealed by the US leader, and China’s figure may be higher when other charges are included.

“If nothing changes quickly, it is likely retail prices will have to increase for smartphones and other consumer electronics devices,” Wood said.

A further problem Wood highlighted is the likely impact on Apple, Samsung, and other consumer electronics manufacturers’ profit margins, which he expects to be lowered by moves to “cushion some of the additional cost” consumers might face.

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Attempts by Apple’s key manufacturing partner, Foxconn, to reduce the company’s reliance on China by shifting production to other nations could prove to be of little relief, with Vietnam one of its alternative locations along with India, which faces a 26 percent reciprocal rate.

The Taipei Times reported Foxconn acquired $32.3 million worth of equipment for its Indian operation through a subsidiary over the past six months as part of its plan to up capacity for Apple goods, alongside AI servers.

Samsung faces similar difficulties, and even if it opted to halt all overseas production and bring it all back home, it would still face a significant 25 percent reciprocal rate on South Korean imports.

Source: Mobile World Live

Telecel Ghana volunteers unveil ICT Lab at Etsiapa Memorial School

Telecel

The Telecel Ghana Foundation has reinforced its commitment to digital inclusion by commissioning a fully equipped ICT lab at Etsiapa Memorial Methodist KG & Primary School in the Central Region.

Initiated under the Foundation’s Red Hearts Employee Volunteering Program (EVP), this project addresses the school’s critical need for digital learning tools, ensuring students gain essential skills for today’s technology-driven world.

For years, ICT lessons at Etsiapa Memorial have been theoretical, with over 500 students depending on a single laptop owned by their ICT teacher. This project marks a significant turning point, providing a modern ICT lab equipped with computers for hands-on digital learning, a projector, and a whiteboard to enhance interactive lessons, and 12 months of data support to enable research and global connectivity.

The project was championed by the Legal and External Affairs team and the Enterprise Business Unit under the Telecel Red Hearts program, which empowers employees to conceptualize and implement meaningful community projects each fiscal year. While this is the first Red Hearts project executed by the departments this fiscal year, five other departments have successfully implemented projects, including:

  • A 30-seater ICT lab for Anfoega Akukome E.P. Primary School
  • A mechanized borehole providing clean water to over 600 residents in Akohia, Asesewa
  • A fully renovated CHPS compound in Kongo, the Upper East Region, is improving healthcare access.

These initiatives highlight Telecel Ghana’s employee-led approach to corporate social responsibility (CSR), where employees take an active role in designing and executing impactful projects in education, health, and digital inclusion.

Speaking at the handover ceremony, Rita Agyeiwaa Rockson, Head of the Telecel Ghana Foundation, Sustainability, and External Communications, emphasized the organization’s commitment to leveraging technology to drive educational equity.

“Access to technology should never be a privilege of the few. Every child, regardless of location, deserves the opportunity to develop the skills necessary for the digital economy. This ICT lab is a bridge to endless possibilities for these students,” she stated.

The Headmaster of the School, Mr. Peter Woode, expressed profound gratitude to Telecel Ghana for the transformation.

“For years, our students have only seen computers in textbooks. Today, they can finally touch, explore, and learn in real time. This ICT lab will change the way we teach and the way our students learn. We are grateful to the Telecel Ghana Foundation for making this a reality,” he said.

With this latest initiative, Telecel Ghana, through its Foundation, continues to champion digital inclusion, ensuring that no one is left behind in the rapidly evolving digital world.

Source: Citi News Room

Vodacom scores big win in fight against R100-million problem

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The Kamberg community in KwaZulu-Natal, through its partnership with Vodacom and private security, has installed a second layer of security surrounding three Vodacom towers in the area and apprehended two battery thieves.

In a statement, Vodacom said the community installed electric fencing surrounding three towers in the area that battery thieves frequently hit.

This will help mitigate the theft of critical components from base stations, including their battery backups.

According to Vodacom, restoring connectivity after incidents of theft or vandalism costs upwards of R70,000 per site and as much as R100 million per year.

This money could be put towards network upgrades and enhancements.

The mobile network operator said its partnership with the community will pave the way for a new community-led model to ensure the safety and security of base station sites in KwaZulu-Natal.

“Critically, this will ensure uninterrupted access to connectivity benefits everyone in the area,” added Vodacom.

The mobile operator said cellular base stations often serve as the only form of connectivity for many remote communities.

“When these sites are vandalised, or batteries are stolen, hundreds of thousands of residents are left without connectivity,” it added.

“This not only affects individuals and small businesses but also has serious consequences in emergency situations when making a call can be a matter of life and death.”

After installing the electric fence surrounding Vodacom’s towers, Kamberg community members and private security managed to nab two thieves for trying to steal batteries.

“The community, working together with a private security company, apprehended two criminals that broke into Vodacom’s site in the area and successfully secured two stolen batteries from the thieves,” said Vodacom.

Executive head of operations for Vodacom’s KwaZulu-Natal region, Molefe Mahlangu, says the local community is always the number one line of defence against vandalism at its towers.

“We cannot combat this issue alone and appreciate that police and private security cannot be everywhere, hence our appeals to communities to get involved,” he said.

Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal says it has invested in robust security measures to address battery theft and vandalism, including installing security cameras to monitor sites and deploying trained security personnel.

Highly-secure battery cabinets and hardened site containers have also been installed, making it more difficult for thieves to gain access.

“In addition, the region is working closely with law enforcement agencies, communities, and security companies to arrest thieves for prosecution with several cases awaiting trial,” says Vodacom.

Source: Extensia

Malawi to connect 500 facilities in rural areas

MAROC

In order to bridge the digital gap, the Malawi government is pursuing a project to connect over 500 public facilities in rural areas to the internet.

The Digital Acceleration Malawi Project is a six-year initiative under the Ministry of Information and Digitalisation’s e-government division. It is supported by the World Bank with a grant of $150 million.

The project began in September 2024 for its initial phase, and the Ministry currently holding stakeholder meetings in various parts of the country to bring this project closer to the people and search for places to connect.

According to Ackim Sanuka, senior deputy director for the department, the project focuses on internet connectivity to improve the government’s capacity to provide digital services to the people in all areas, stating that information should be easily accessible with the click of a button rather than physically moving from one office to another.

“We should have a single platform to access the information; we are also looking at extending rural connectivity and secure data hosting, whereby we have a newly constructed national data city in the city of Lilongwe that aims at providing a conducive environment for the safety of these systems,” he explained.

Source: Extensia

Ericsson, Tunisie Telecom deliver 5G in Tunisia

Ericsson

Ericsson is supporting Tunisie Telecom with the effective rollout of 5G mobile technology in Tunisia.

According to Ericsson, the mobile operator has successfully begun providing its 5G-NSA (non-stand-alone) services for residential customers, which include 5G eMBB and Fixed Wireless Access (FWA).

Technically, Ericsson stated that the 5G rollout was based on Time Division Duplexing (TDD) sites using the 3.5 GHz frequency band and FDD following a repurposing of the existing 4G spectrum, mostly in the 2100 and 1800 MHz frequencies.

High throughput was achieved with 5G TDD sites, which reached 2.1 Gbit/s downlink, the company said.

According to the company, this is the first time this frequency band has been used in Tunisia, and it provides a wider spectrum for faster speeds.

It further stated that Tunisie Telecom’s 5G is being deployed in an FDD (Frequency Division Duplex) architecture, which is consistent with the existing mobile network and ensures greater geographical coverage.

“In a spirit of long-term partnership, Ericsson worked with Tunisie Telecom to ensure the successful commercial launch of 5G within the deadlines set by the Ministry of ICT.

“And despite the very tight schedule and the relatively complex network architecture, we have managed to combine our efforts and complete this launch on time and with excellence.

“Ericsson will continue to work closely with Tunisie Telecom to ensure the success of the Digital Strategy 2025, which aims to put digital technology at the heart of Tunisia’s economic and social development,” says Tahar Labidi, senior account manager at Ericsson.

For Oussama Samet, central director of Networks at Tunisie Telecom: “With Ericsson, Tunisie Telecom has succeeded in being the first operator to launch 5G in Tunisia and North Africa, within the timeframe set by the Tunisian Ministry of ICT.

“Thanks to our partner, we were able to meet the challenge of a very tight schedule, in a relatively complex environment and ecosystem. The commercial launch was a success for Tunisie Telecom, and we’re counting on Ericsson for the next stages of 5G deployment, use case development and monetisation”.

Source: Extensia